Lincoln’s Center for People in Need revamps and rebrands to meet unprecedented need

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – For 20 years, the Center for People in Need has served low-income people by providing basic necessities like clothing and food.

Executive Director Macala Carter said now more than ever, Lincoln’s needs are increasing.

She said the center regularly sees up to 500 people every day for food distribution.

“Today we are serving over 2,000 unduplicated households each week,” she said. “Now that’s an important number because that’s a number we have never seen before.”

The center is making some big changes to help accommodate that increase and rebranding as the Center for People.

The organization is focusing more on food and job training and has been rearranging its facility to move everyone to the front of the building.

Training programs include project management and business classes; welding and forklift operations; HVAC, plumbing, and electrical certifications; and even English language classes.

The center also works with Southeast Community College to help people get associate degrees.

“When you have basic needs met, people can begin to dream,” Carter said. “And so that’s when we come in from the other side with those certifications, those opportunities for advancement and that workforce placement.”

The center recently had to suspend its care room, which assisted families in need with clothing and household goods, because of staffing shortages.

Carter said you can still donate items to the center, and you can go to places like Community Action, the People’s City Mission and Goodwill if you need items the center doesn’t have.

The career readiness room remains open, which does provide some clothing and resources for job seekers.

The center is asking for donations of food items and diapers and is looking for volunteers, too.